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World’s Most Expensive Sneakers Just Sold for $2.2 Million
By Ben McKimm - News Published:
Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals ‘The Last Dance’ Game Worn and Signed Air Jordan XIIIs have set a new record with a sale price of $2,238,000 USD ($3,359,000 AUD) at Sotheby’s overnight. The sale beats Kanye West’s $1.8m ‘Grammy Worn’ Yeezys to claim the title as the most expensive sneakers ever sold.
It’s safe to say that the timing for the auction was right with Ben Affleck and Matt Damons ‘AIR’ movie hitting cinemas this week. A must-watch movie for those who enjoyed ‘The Last Dance’ on Netflix, in our books.
RELATED: Looking for more great Jordan models? We ranked our favourite of all time.
Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals ‘The Last Dance’ Game Worn and Signed Air Jordan XIIIs | Image: Sotheby’s
In terms of the sneakers themselves, these were the shoes MJ wore in the second half of Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. Often referred to as Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance” season, it went on to be the most viewed of all NBA Finals contests, and one that basketball nuts like ourselves consider being one of the best NBA Finals performances of all time – let’s not forget Lebron’s block on Andre Iguodala.
Outside of the large silver signatures on the toebox, the provenance is spectacular. According to the auction house, these are the only complete pair of sneakers worn by Michael in an NBA Finals game – from any of his 6 NBA Finals series – ever photo matched and authenticated by The MeiGray Group, the official authenticator of the NBA. They are also the only pair worn by Michael Jordan from the 1998 NBA postseason that has ever been photo matched by MeiGray.
So how did someone get Michael Jordan to sign these shoes, and how did they end up with today’s owner? According to Sotheby’s, the ball-boy found MJs jacket that he lost during practice and after returning the jacket he asked MJ for his shoes after the game, “Can I get your kicks after the game tomorrow?” Michael took his sneakers off in the locker room after Game 2, signed each sneaker, and handed them as a thank you for his honesty.
Of course, Jordan would go on to hit ‘The Shot’ in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals wearing a pair of Jordan XIVs, we can only imagine what a pair of those sneakers would go for in today’s market. A practice pair sold through Christie’s in August 2020 for $20,000 USD, which seems like pennies today.
You can check out more of Sotheby’s blockbuster VICTORIAM sales via the link below, including a $508,000 USD game-worn Michael Jordan 1998 ‘The Last Dance’ Chicago Bulls signed jersey that’s been matched to 2 games.
Check out the sneakers at Sotheby’s
Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals ‘The Last Dance’ Game Worn and Signed Air Jordan XIIIs | Image: Sotheby’s
Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals ‘The Last Dance’ Game Worn and Signed Air Jordan XIIIs | Image: Sotheby’s
Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals ‘The Last Dance’ Game Worn and Signed Air Jordan XIIIs | Image: Sotheby’s
Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals ‘The Last Dance’ Game Worn and Signed Air Jordan XIIIs | Image: Sotheby’s
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